Beverage cap for collapsible bottles

ABSTRACT

A bottle cap comprised of an upper cap body, a valve and a threaded insert wherein the threaded insert is configured to be secured to the opening of a bottle. Liquid is discharged through the cap during the collapse of the bottle. Bottle un-collapsing creates negative pressure, which closes the valve and creates a temporary air seal, preventing further air entry into the bottle. The valve further prevents loss of carbonation in the bottle.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/654,212, filed Apr. 6, 2018. The disclosure of the foregoing application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Carbonated beverages are currently packaged in flexible plastic bottles, both in individual user and larger (2 liter) sizes for group consumption. Once the beverage cap has been opened, carbonation freshness quickly declines as gas leaves the beverage into the air within or outside of the bottle, depending upon whether the cap has been reapplied, or the bottle was left open.

For larger bottles specifically, when purchased for an event, several types of beverage may be selected, not knowing which beverages are preferred by the group. Often by the end of the event there may be several bottles left over, only partially emptied, which have lost carbonation. These leftover beverages will soon be considered undesirable to drink, as the beverages are “flat,” i.e. the carbonation has been lost. The problem of carbonation loss upon opening of the bottle is twofold: (1) carbonated gas exits liquid and mixes with excess air within a bottle through the process of entropy, and (2) this process is accelerated by a lack of pressure to contain the gas within the liquid.

Certain prior art solutions in this field address carbonation loss through re-pressurization of a container with some type of pump mechanism attached to the bottle top. However, these types of solutions are expensive and cumbersome.

Furthermore, prior art designs often create a disrupted flow of liquid, which effects carbonation by mixing the liquid, resulting in instantaneous loss of carbonated gas as liquid leaves the bottle. For example, in prior art approaches that employ a spring-based lid, the spring often disrupts liquid flow as the carbonated liquid is dispensed from the bottle. Accordingly, there is a need for solutions that mitigate carbonation loss as disclosed in the method and systems described herein.

SUMMARY

The present devices limit re-entry of air into a beverage bottle and allow a user to remove excess non-carbonated air by squeezing the bottle in an upright position, thereby limiting loss of carbonation of a beverage contained within the bottle. This is achieved through the use of a one-way valve which works in concert with the collapsible nature of plastic bottles to effectively reduce carbonation loss. Retention of carbonation overnight or for several days is achieved through securing the bottle's original cap onto the top of the present devices, once excess gas/air has been removed. A user may repeat this process to pour additional glasses of carbonated liquid from a bottle for several days with minimal carbonation loss.

In one embodiment, the present beverage capping closure device 100 generally comprises an upper cap body 110, a valve 120, and a threaded insert 130. The valve 120 includes an outer ring 117, a flap 118, and a hinge 119 that connects the outer ring 117 to the flap 118. The upper cap body 110 includes a port 111 in an upper portion of the cap body 110 for the transmission of fluid through the capping system 100. A wall 106 surrounding the port 111 includes exterior threading 131 for engaging interior threading of a cap of the beverage container. An elbow 141 connects the wall 126 to a downwardly extending body shroud 115, which includes at least one lip catch 125 formed on an interior wall 126 of the body shroud 115.

The upper cap body 110 in this embodiment is attached to the threaded insert 130, which includes at least one tapered lip 122 formed on an exterior surface 150 of the insert wall 142 for engaging the lip catches 125 of the upper cap body. The threaded insert 130 further includes an insert wall 142 having interior threading 124 on the interior surface 149 of the insert wall 142 and having an upper rim 140 formed above the insert wall 142. A container side 143 of the outer ring 117 of the valve 120 rests on an upper surface 140 a of the upper rim 140, and an exit side 144 of the outer ring 117 of the valve 120 is contacted by an interior side 145 of the elbow 141 of the upper cap body when the upper cap body 110 is engaged to the threaded insert 130, thereby securing the valve 120 between the upper cap body 110 and the threaded insert 130. A container side 146 of the flap 118 contacts the upper surface 140 a of the upper rim 140 when the valve 120 is in a sealing position.

In another embodiment, a check valve can use the negative pressure generated when a collapsed plastic bottle begins to return to its original shape, either through elastic forces or through force exerted externally by a user, to pull a stopper into the seat of the device for an air-tight seal. The same negative pressure can be used to close a flap in a valve, again creating an air tight seal. The disclosed embodiments provide a unrestricted flow, allowing unencumbered natural pouring of liquid from the bottle.

The present devices can also incorporate an anti-splash back aspect of the valve to allow the user to reduce air trapped in the bottle. With the bottle in the upright position, the bottle can be squeezed, and due to the anti-splash-back design of stopper, excess liquid is prevented from splashing onto a user. This ability to squeeze the plastic bottle and remove excess air quickly and completely from inside the collapsed bottle is important to preserving carbonation.

It is an object of the invention to provide a cap allowing a flow of carbonated liquid from a bottle, while limiting re-entry of air. Collapsing and un-collapsing of a bottle and the resulting pressure changes during pouring drive the valve opening and closing, eliminating need for an external pump mechanism to move liquids and creating a self-securing cap. The springless, non-resistive systems described herein also facilitate minimally disruptive pouring from the bottle, further preserving carbonation during pouring. In addition, the device allows, with the bottle in the upright position, removal of excess air while shielding fluids from exiting the main body of the device. The top of device provides a securing configuration allowing the bottle's original cap to be applied for transport of the bottle and extended periods of non-use.

Accordingly, the primary objective of the present invention is to provide a cap which, when attached to a collapsible bottle, allows for the limiting and/or complete removal of air from the bottle to reduce the carbonated gas loss from the liquid, into air within the bottle.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a shield within the device to limit fluids from also leaving the bottle, as excess air is being forced out of the bottle, thus protecting the user from splash-back of escaping fluids.

Another object of the present invention provides a valve with a flap which allows liquid to pour from the bottle minimizing disruption and further loss of carbonated gas. The present invention uses the negative pressure created from un-collapsing a bottle to control a valve.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a 3-part or 4-part design for a closure apparatus which is inexpensive to produce.

Another object of the present invention is re-use of the original soda bottle cap, allowing the user to screw a cap onto top of the device to allow for resealing of the bottle during extended periods, where re-pressurization of the bottle is likely to occur as the result of gas escaping liquid.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a pressure release mechanism, partially unscrewing the device from the bottle, and allowing air re-entry into bottle, thus regaining partial bottle shape and when tipped allowing removal of the final contents of bottle.

Another object allows for device use in conjunction with a clamping mechanism placed around bottle, to prevent expansion of bottle and maintain pressure of carbonated liquid, during extended storage of liquid.

Another object of the invention allows for use of device with non-carbonated liquids, where spill resistance and/or prevention of air entry into bottle are beneficial.

Another object of the invention allows the user to exhume excess air/gas with increased control due to self-sealing cap. This allows a user to use one or even two hands to gradually remove all the air/gas, then removing the user's hands and applying the original bottle cap to the top of device.

FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of an embodiment of the closure apparatus with the piston valve biased to the closed position.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the stopper of the closure apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3A is a side elevation view of an alternative embodiment of the stopper showing tabs extending from an anti-splash top.

FIG. 3B is a top plan view of the stopper of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4 is a detailed cross section of the closure apparatus of FIG. 1 along line A-A, illustrating the interior of the device with an enclosed stopper biased to the closed position.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the capping closure apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a front elevation view of the capping closure apparatus of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of the capping closure apparatus of FIG. 5 attached to a beverage container.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the valve of FIG. 5.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the threaded insert of FIG. 5.

FIG. 10 is a front elevation view of a capping closure apparatus of FIG. 5 attached to a beverage container and capped by a beverage container cap.

The components of the present device illustrated in the foregoing figures are listed in Table 1 below.

TABLE 1 Component Reference Number closure apparatus 10 cap cylinder body 20 grooves 21 cylinder body upper end 22 cylinder body lower end 23 cylinder body interior 24 lower cylinder wall 25 inner threaded wall 26 outer threads 27 upper opening 28 lower opening 29 stopper 30 plunger body 31 lower end 32 anti-splash top 33 support tabs 34 upper end 36 lower stop 35 lower tab 37 plunger body upper chamber 38 plunger body lower chamber 39 interior cylinder walls 40 interior cylinder wall upper portion 42 interior cylinder wall lower portion 44 O-ring 60 capping closure apparatus 100 upper cap body 110 port 111 opening 112 upper dispensing end 113 textured outer surface 114 body shroud 115 dimples 116 outer ring 117 flap 118 hinge 119 valve 120 upper surface 121 tapered lip 122 exterior surface 123 interior threading 124 lip catch 125 interior wall (body shroud) 126 friction rim 127 interior surface (threaded insert) 128 twist stop 129 threaded insert 130 exterior threading 131 central opening 132 taper 133 lower surface 134 bottom rim 135 lower opening 136 bottom edge 137 top edge 138 wall 139 upper rim 140 elbow 141 insert wall 142 container side (outer ring) 143 exit side (outer ring) 144 interior side (elbow) 145 container side (flap) 146 bottle 147 bottle cap 148

DESCRIPTION Definitions

“Below,” “downward,” “downwardly,” “lower,” and “under” generally refer to a direction or location which is toward a bottle to which the present device is attached and away from the port through which liquids exit the present device. When the present device is attached to a typical 2-liter plastic beverage container whose opening extends vertically upwardly, these terms mean in the direction of or toward the ground or other support surface on which the bottle is placed. “Above,” “upward,” “upwardly,” “upper,” and “over” mean in the opposite direction, usually away from the ground or other support surface on which a bottle is placed.

“Elbow” refers to a joint or connector between two components of the present device, in particular one which includes a portion which bends such that a first portion of the elbow extends at an angle to a second portion of the elbow.

“Flap” refers to a portion of the valve component of the present device which is hingedly connected to the remainder of the valve and acts to open and close the valve. Preferably the flap is piece of material which is integrally formed with the hinge and with at least some other portion of the valve, in which case at least the flap and hinge are formed from an elastic, reversibly deformable material.

“Port” refers to a component of the present device which allows a flow of fluid through the device.

“Shroud” refers to a component of the present device or portion thereof which covers or surrounds another component, either partially or completely.

“Threading” refers to one or more threads and/or grooves configured to engage threads and grooves of a corresponding structure. Threading therefore describes the typical thread and groove system used to screw a beverage cap onto a container in order to secure the cap to the container.

A “valve” is a device that regulates the flow of a fluid by opening and closing a passageway through which the fluid is conducted.

Terms of relative position such as “upper,” “lower,” “top”, “bottom,” “front,” “rear,” “right,” “left,” “inner,” “outer,” and similar terms are used to designate areas and positions of portions or components of the present device with respect to other portions of components of the present device, but it is to be understood that these terms are relative and are not absolute terms.

The term “comprise” and variations of the term, such as “comprising” and “comprises,” are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps. The terms “a,” “an,” and “the” and similar referents used herein are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural unless their usage in context indicates otherwise.

Recitation of value ranges herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method for referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All references cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Stopper-Based Valve Closure

Referring to FIG. 1, the closure apparatus 10 is adapted to be mounted on to the neck of a container, such as a beverage container. The closure apparatus 10 comprises a cap cylinder body 20 and stopper 30. Cap cylinder body 20 includes a means for attachment of the closure apparatus 10 to the container, said attachment means depending upon the container neck design to which the device will be attached. The present illustrated embodiment includes attachment means comprising an interior threaded aspect, i.e. grooves 21, for mating with the threads of a beverage container. Cap cylinder body 20 includes openings on both the upper and lower ends, with the upper opening 28 of the cylinder body upper end 22 preferably being larger than the lower opening 29 of the narrower cylinder body lower end 23. Interior cylinder walls 40 are preferably straight (cylindrical) along an interior cylinder wall upper portion 42 of the cylinder body interior 24 of cap cylinder body 20 and taper in an interior cylinder wall lower portion 44 of the interior to form a seat 45 to house the stopper 30. Space between the upper end of the exterior of a lower cylinder wall 25 and the upper end of inner threaded wall 26 provides for placement of an O-ring 60. The cylinder body upper end 22 of the cap cylinder body 20 preferably provides outer threads 27 to allow securing of a bottle's original cap onto the dispensing end, cylinder body upper end 22, of the closure apparatus 10. Attachment of the original cap of a container to the closure apparatus 10 provides the container with a seal equivalent to the bottle's original seal, preventing loss of gas with pressurization of the bottle as gas expands out of the liquid.

FIG. 2 illustrates a movable stopper, such as stopper 30 used in the closure apparatus 10 comprised of a plunger body 31, preferably made from silicone, a lower stop 35 at the lower end 32 which is preferably made from plastic, and an upper end 36 having an anti-splash top 33, also preferably made from plastic. The plastic lower stop 35 has a lower end which is wider than the lower opening 29 of cap cylinder body 20, preventing the entire stopper assembly from exiting through the upper opening 28 of the cap cylinder body 20. In the illustrated embodiments, the lower end of the lower stop 35 comprises a flaring lower tab 37.

In a preferred embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B, upper anti-splash top 33 comprises support tabs 34, which assist in maintaining the stopper 30 centered within the cap cylinder body 20. This minimizes disruption of the flow of carbonated fluid when poured out of the closure apparatus 10 by preventing the sides of the anti-splash top 33 from resting along the interior cylinder walls 40.

Both lower stop 35 and upper plastic anti-splash top 33 can be attached to the plunger body 31 through an interior compartment or compartments of the plunger body 31, i.e. plunger body upper chamber 38 and plunger body lower chamber 39 in FIG. 4. Once the lower stop 35 is pressed into the plunger body 31 while it resides in the closure apparatus 10, the lower stop 35 is held in place by the combination of the configuration of the cavity within the plunger body 31 as well as by the added force applied in attempting to pull stopper 30 and securing the end of lower stop 35 through a tapered end of the device. This is an important feature to prevent the plunger from leaving device. The length of lower stop 35 allows for movement of the plunger body 31 above the tapered interior cylinder wall lower portion 44 of the interior cylinder walls 40 of the cap cylinder body 20, providing sufficient clearance for fluid to pass through cylinder body upper end 22 with minimal disruption to liquid gas mixture.

The exterior of plunger body 31 is preferably cylindrical at its upper end, with a straight wall, and tapered in the lower half. The interior of plunger body 31 preferably contains a plunger body upper chamber 38 and plunger body lower chamber 39 for attachment of lower stop 35 and upper anti-splash top 33. The upper and lower cavities preferably have sufficient silicone material between each cavity to prevent air or fluid from traveling through the center of plunger body 31.

FIG. 1 shows a stopper 30 in a closed position, housed within the cap cylinder body 20 and resting in lower tapered portion of the device. Collapsing of a bottle increases pressure on the stopper 30 to dislodge it from its seat 45, i.e. lower cylinder wall 25 of the cylinder body interior 24 of the lower opening 29, allowing fluid to flow through the top of cylinder body upper end 22 of the device. Un-collapsing of a bottle results in fluid flow back toward the bottle with stopper 30 then being drawn into, and occupying, the seat 45 of the device.

Flap-Based Valve Closure

Referring to FIG. 5, an embodiment of a cap system, or a capping closure apparatus 100 is illustrated. Capping closure apparatus 100 is adapted to be mounted on to the neck of a container, such as a beverage container. The capping closure apparatus 100 comprises an upper cap body 110, a valve 120, and a threaded insert 130. Upper cap body 110 includes a means for attachment of the capping closure apparatus 100 to the container, the attachment means depending upon the container neck design to which the device will be attached. Valve 120 provides a conduit through which liquid and gas in the bottle can exit, while preventing carbonation loss. Threaded insert 130 engages with upper cap body 110 sandwiching valve 120 therebetween, and provides a threaded and airtight seal between the capping closure apparatus 100 and the bottle. Attachment between a beverage container and capping closure apparatus 100 preferably provides the beverage container with a seal equivalent to the bottle's original seal, preventing loss of gas with pressurization of the bottle as gas expands out of the liquid.

Upper cap body 110 includes an internal port 111 that serves as a conduit for liquid and gas flow out of capping closure apparatus 100. The internal port 111 comprises and/or is surrounded by a wall 139 with exterior threading 131 for mating with threads of the original cap of the beverage container to which the capping closure apparatus 100 has been, or will be, engaged. Internal port 111 includes opening 112 of upper dispensing end 113 of upper cap body 110. Upper cap body 110 can preferably be cylindrical, but can also be formed in other shapes according to design considerations.

Upper cap body 110 has an elbow 141 connecting wall 139 to body shroud 115. Body shroud 115 preferably has a textured outer surface 114 in order to allow a user to more easily grip the present device when securing it to or removing it from a container. Textured outer surface 114 can comprise raised dimples 116, for example. In certain embodiments, the textured outer surface 114 can be configured to provide a non-slip grip. Interior wall 126 of body shroud 115 includes at least one lip catch 125 as further detailed in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7.

FIG. 8 illustrates the valve 120 of the present device. Valve 120 includes an outer ring 117 connected to a flap 118 with a hinge 119. Valve 120 can be a check valve or other such valve that allows fluid to exit when flap 118 is opened. Flap 118 is preferably generally biased to a closed position by hinge 119, for example by forming both the flap and hinge from an elastically deformable material which is in a closed position or tends toward a closed position when the present device 100 is attached to a beverage container. The length of the hinge 119 can be selected as a ratio of the diameter of the flap 118. In a preferred embodiment, the length of the hinge 119 can be nominally ⅛ the diameter of the flap 118. The valve 120 is preferably formed from a single piece of material, such as by molding, and comprises an elastically deformable material such as silicone or other such materials.

Variations in the flap 118 thickness and hardness affect sealing ability of valve 120. The thickness and hardness of flap 118 can be selected to ensure flap 118 is slightly concave over the upper rim 140 tapered toward central opening 132, as negative pressure is created in the bottle.

Pressure on the lower side (container side) of flap 118 creates a pressure differential which causes flap 118 to open outwardly at hinge 119. Once the positive pressure differential decreases, hinge 119 returns the flap 118 to its sealing position over central opening 132. Valve 120 provides a seal to prevent depressurization of the bottle, as gas expands out of the liquid in the bottle.

Valve 120 is positioned on upper surface 121 of threaded insert 130. Flap 118 of valve 120 can rest on upper surface 121 of threaded insert 130 when valve 120 is closed. The container side 143 of the outer ring 117 of the valve 120 rests on an upper surface 121 of the upper rim 140. The exit side 144 of the outer ring 117 of valve 120 is compressed by an interior side 145 of the elbow 141 of the upper cap body 110 when the upper cap body 110 is engaged to the threaded insert 130, thereby securing the valve 120 between the upper cap body 110 and the threaded insert 130. Container side 146 of the flap 118, is seated on the upper surface 121 of the upper rim 140 when the valve 120 is in a sealing position. The valve 120 can serve as a gasket that produces an airtight interface between the upper cap body 110 and the threaded insert 130.

Threaded insert 130 is further illustrated in FIG. 9. Upper rim 140 of threaded insert 130 has an upper surface 121 and a lower surface 134. Upper rim 140 of threaded insert 130 extends inwardly from insert wall 142 forming a central opening 132. Central opening 132 can be wholly or partially aligned with flap 118 of valve 120, to facilitate fluid flow when flap 118 is open.

Upper surface 121 of upper rim 140 can be tapered radially inward toward central opening 132, as illustrated by taper 133. Taper 133 serves to create a slightly concave surface of flap 118, resulting in a greater area of contact between flap 118 and upper surface 121 over central opening 132 when the valve 120 is in a sealing position.

Exterior surface 123 of insert wall 142 has a series of at least one tapered lip 122. Tapered lips 122 are formed horizontally on the exterior surface 123 of the insert wall 142. The bottom edge 137 of each of the tapered lips 122 extends away from the exterior surface 123 of the insert wall 142 forming a lip. The thickness of the tapered lip 122 then tapers such that the top edge 138 of the tapered lip 122 forms a substantially smooth interface with the exterior surface 123. Twist stop 129 is also formed on the exterior surface 123 of insert wall 142 to prevent threaded insert 130 from rotating in relation to the upper cap body 110 as the capping closure apparatus 100 is installed on a bottle.

The tapered lips 122 facilitate engagement between the threaded insert 130 and the cylindrical body shroud 115 of the upper cap body 110. FIG. 6 illustrates lip catches 125 formed on the cylindrical interior walls 126 of the upper cap body 110. The lip catches 125 are recessed extrusions, substantially matching the negative of the shape of tapered lips 122, formed into the interior wall 126 of the upper cap body 110. As the threaded insert 130 is inserted into the upper cap body 110, at least one of the tapered lips 122 engages with at least one of lip catches 125, securing the threaded insert 130 and valve 120 in place in the upper cap body 110. An upwardly facing surface 125 a of the lip catch 125 preferably faces a downwardly facing surface 122 a of the tapered lip 122 and/or is in contact with the downwardly facing surface 122 a when the upper cap body 110 is secured to the threaded insert 130 in order to secure the upper cap body 110 to the threaded insert 130 and prevent the upper cap body 110 from being separated from the threaded insert 130 when pressure is applied to the valve 120 and the upper cap body 110 due to pressure from a carbonated liquid in a bottle to which the present device is attached.

Threaded insert 130 is the interface between the capping closure apparatus 100 and the beverage container. The interior surface 128 of insert wall 142 has interior threading 124 for mating with the threads of the beverage container to which the capping closure apparatus 100 has been, or will be, engaged.

Friction rim 127 extends vertically downward from the lower surface 134 of upper rim 140. The diameter of friction rim 127 is selected according to the diameter of the mouth of the bottle to which the capping closure apparatus 100 will be engaged. The diameter can be selected to match that of the inner diameter of the mouth of the beverage container, or to be slightly greater than the inner diameter of the mouth of the beverage container. The distal end of friction rim 127 acts as a lever arm as it extends away from lower surface 134 of threaded insert 130. As the threaded insert 130 is engaged to the mouth of the beverage container, the friction rim 127 slides into the mouth of the beverage container. Pressure between the friction rim 127 and the inner mouth of the beverage container improves the seal between the beverage bottle and capping closure apparatus 100. Friction rim 127 is preferably smooth to facilitate engagement with the mouth of the beverage container.

Threaded insert 130 has lower opening 136 formed by bottom rim 135 that serves as the conduit through which fluid flows from the beverage container into the capping closure apparatus 100. Valve 120 is engaged into position between the upper cap body 110 and the upper surface 121 of the threaded insert 130 upon insertion of the threaded insert 130 into the upper cap body 110 and engagement between the lip catches 125 and the tapered lips 122.

FIG. 10 illustrates the capping closure apparatus 100 attached to the liquid dispensing opening of a bottle 147. A bottle cap 148 is connected to the capping closure apparatus 100 in order to seal the beverage container when it is not in use and better retain the carbonation of a liquid retained in the bottle.

Method of Use

The closure apparatus 10 and/or capping closure apparatus 100 (collectively the “devices”) allow for one-way movement of fluid through a bottle, preventing air entry into the bottle. This limits carbonation loss by limiting entropy between liquid and excess air. The devices are generally are comprised of a bottom female screw-on thread to attach to a plastic bottle top, for example. The top of the devices utilize a male thread for reattachment of the bottle's original screw-on lid. The original bottle cap can be reapplied for a secure sealing of gas and fluid within the bottle, during bottle transport or extended storage.

The devices include a one-way valve. In the closure apparatus 10 the one-way valve is comprised of a stopper 30 within the center chamber of the device 10. The stopper 30 rests within the chamber on the bottom seat and utilizes the negative pressure from un-squeezing a bottle to create a temporary seal, thus preventing air from re-entering the bottle. The inner device chamber tapers down to a seat where the stopper 30 rests. The upper diameter of the tube is large enough to allow sufficient fluid to move around the stopper, with minimal disruption to carbonated liquid, and exit the chamber at the top of the device. The seat allows for an air tight seal between the stopper and seat, at the same time allowing for free movement of the stopper out of the seat with minimal pressure from squeezing the plastic drink bottle. The inner device chamber must be of limited diameter to force the stopper to move with a reverse flow of liquid back into the bottle. This reverse flow occurs from the negative pressure when un-squeezing the bottle. Negative pressure within the plastic bottle is maintained as the collapsed plastic bottle un-collapses back toward its original shape.

Limiting air leakage back into the bottle, while allowing sufficient liquid flow, is enhanced through the specific diameter of the device's inner chamber tube, relative to stopper size and viscosity of a bottle's fluid. The optimal stopper size is relative to the diameter of the tube at top and bottom of the device within the limitations of the plastic drink bottle opening. Limiting the size of the tapered tube allows placement of the tube within a bottle neck, thus allowing for a low profile of the device above top of the bottle neck.

The top portion of the closure device 10 stopper provides a splash-guard to prevent residual fluid within the device from exiting the chamber. Excess fluid exiting the device is blocked by the sides of chamber and the upper portion of the stopper. The upper portion of the stopper also assists in regulating fluid flow out of device into a single stream of fluid.

The stopper includes a bottom tab wider than lower tube opening to limit movement of the stopper within the device and prevent the stopper from exiting the top of the device. The bottom tab of the lower stop is preferably flat, allowing for fluid to pass on both sides of the tab and is of sufficient thickness to prevent breakage and dislodging of stopper once attached in the manufacturing process.

Self-sealing of the present cap occurs upon squeezing and subsequent release of a bottle on which the present cap 10 is secured, moving the stopper to the seat of the device with an airtight seal. The negative pressure holds the stopper in place allowing the bottle to be turned on its side without spilling liquid.

In the capping closure apparatus 100 the one-way valve is comprised of a valve 120 with a flap 118. The valve 120 rests between the upper cap body 110 and the threaded insert 130 and utilizes the negative pressure from un-squeezing a bottle to create a temporary seal, thus preventing air from re-entering the bottle.

As with the closure apparatus 10, the valve 120 can be a check valve or other such valve, that allows fluid to exit when flap 118 is opened. flap 118 is generally biased to a closed position by hinge 119. Pressure on an upstream side of flap 118 creates a pressure differential which causes flap 118 to open at hinge 119. Once the positive pressure differential decreases, hinge 119 returns flap 118 to its closed position. Valve 120 provides a seal to prevent depressurization of the bottle, as gas expands out of the liquid in the bottle, and to minimize loss of gas pressurization.

During application of one of the devices onto a bottle or during drink pouring, air may enter the bottle through the device opening. Removal of excess air is achieved by placing bottle in an upright position and squeezing to remove air and bring liquid to the bottom of the device opening.

Retention of carbonation overnight, or for several days, is achieved through securing the bottle's original cap onto the top of the present device, once excess gas/air has been removed. The user may repeat this process, to pour additional glasses of carbonated liquid from the bottle for several days with minimal carbonation loss.

An additional feature of the device allows for the slight unscrewing of the device from a bottle top and release of air pressure, resulting in partial reconfiguration of the bottle. This becomes necessary when the collapsed bottle can no longer be squeezed to dispense the remaining fluid.

Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, other embodiments are possible. The steps disclosed for the present methods, for example, are not intended to be limiting nor are they intended to indicate that each step is necessarily essential to the method, but instead are exemplary steps only. Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of preferred embodiments contained in this disclosure.

Specific shapes, measurements, etc. are included herein as examples of specific embodiments of the present invention, and are not to be construed as being limiting. Recitation of value ranges herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method for referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All references cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A beverage capping closure apparatus, comprising: a valve comprising an outer ring, a flap, and a hinge connecting the outer ring to the flap; an upper cap body comprising a port for fluid transmission, a wall surrounding the port, exterior threading on the wall, an elbow connecting the wall to a downwardly extending body shroud, and at least one lip catch formed on an interior wall of the body shroud; and a threaded insert comprising an upper rim formed above an insert wall, at least one tapered lip formed on an exterior surface of the insert wall, and interior threading on an interior surface of the insert wall, wherein a container side of the outer ring of the valve rests on an upper surface of the upper rim, and an exit side of the outer ring of the valve is contacted by an interior side of the elbow of the upper cap body when the upper cap body is engaged to the threaded insert, thereby securing the valve between the upper cap body and the threaded insert, and wherein a container side of the flap contacts the upper surface of the upper rim when the valve is in a sealing position.
 2. The beverage cap of claim 1, wherein the exterior threading on the upper cap body is configured to mate with interior threading of a bottle cap.
 3. The beverage cap of claim 1, wherein the interior threading on the threaded insert is configured to mate with a bottle.
 4. The beverage cap of claim 1, wherein the body shroud further comprises a textured outer surface.
 5. The beverage cap of claim 1, wherein the valve is a check valve.
 6. The beverage cap of claim 1, wherein the valve is formed from silicone.
 7. The beverage cap of claim 1, wherein a length of the hinge of the valve is nominally ⅛ the diameter of the flap.
 8. The beverage cap of claim 1, wherein the threaded insert further comprises a twist stop formed on the exterior surface of the wall of the threaded insert.
 9. The beverage cap of claim 1, wherein the upper rim of the threaded insert is tapered radially inward.
 10. The beverage cap of claim 1, wherein the threaded insert further comprises a friction rim extending vertically downward from a lower surface of the upper rim wherein the friction rim is configured to seal against a bottle.
 11. A beverage cap comprising: a cap cylinder body comprising an upper dispensing end with outer threads, an attachment means for mating with threads of a beverage container, and a lower end with a tapered lower portion forming a seat in an interior of the cap cylinder body; and a check valve configured in the cap cylinder body, the check valve comprising a stopper configured to occupy the seat in the interior of the cap cylinder body to prevent loss of gas pressurization out of the beverage cap.
 12. The beverage cap of claim 11, wherein the upper dispensing end with outer threads on the cap cylinder body is configured to mate with a bottle cap.
 13. The beverage cap of claim 11, wherein the attachment means for mating with the threads of the beverage container comprises: an interior threaded aspect comprising grooves for mating with threads of the beverage container.
 14. The beverage cap of claim 12, wherein the stopper further comprises: a plunger body; a stop connected to a lower end of the plunger body; and an anti-splash top connected to a top of the plunger body.
 15. The beverage cap of claim 14, wherein the lower end of the stop is wider than a lower opening of the cap cylinder body.
 16. The beverage cap of claim 14, wherein the anti-splash top further comprises: at least one support tab configured to center the stopper in the cap cylinder body.
 17. A cap system comprising: a valve comprising an outer ring, a flap, and a hinge connecting the outer ring to the flap; an upper cap body comprising an internal port for fluid transmission, a wall surrounding the internal port, exterior threading on the wall, the exterior threading being configured to mate with a bottle cap, an elbow connecting the wall to a body shroud, and at least one lip catch formed on an interior wall of the body shroud; and a threaded insert comprising an upper rim formed above an insert wall, at least one tapered lip formed on an exterior surface of the insert wall, and interior threading on an interior surface of the insert wall the interior threading being configured to mate with a bottle, wherein a container side of the outer ring of the valve rests on an upper surface of the upper rim, and an exit side of the outer ring of the valve is contacted by an interior side of the elbow of the upper cap body when the upper cap body is engaged to the threaded insert, thereby securing the valve between the upper cap body and the threaded insert.
 18. The cap system of claim 17, wherein the body shroud further comprises a textured outer surface.
 19. The cap system of claim 17, wherein the valve is formed from silicone.
 20. The cap system of claim 17, wherein the threaded insert further comprises a friction rim extending vertically downward from a container side of the upper rim wherein the friction rim is configured to seal against a bottle. 